Method of making hollow rubber articles.



E, J. GLEASON. METHOD o? MAKING HOLLOW RUBBER ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED 00T. 29,1908.

Patented July 19,1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1,

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F. J. GLEASON. METHOD o? MKING HOLLOW RUBBER ARTIGLES.

` APPLIGATION FILED 00T. 29, 1908. 964.5%@

Patented July 19,1910.

4 sHETs-SHEBT 2.

@am w k F, J. GLEASON. METHOD OF MAKING HOLLOW RUBBER ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED 00T. 29, 1908.

Patented July 19, 1910.

4' SHEETS-SHEET 3.

P. J. GLEASON. METHOD o? MAKING HOLLOW RUBBER ARTICLES.

A APPLIUATION FILED 00T. 29, 190B.

Patened Ju1y191910.

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' temperature 'lli rarer-rr orneronQ FREBERCK IT, GLESON, 0F WALPGLE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNR T0 WALPOLE RUBBER CGMPNY, 0F "NALELE, 'tlLtSfSCI-IUSETISy A CORPORATION OF MAN.

esente,

Specification of batters Estant.

Patented telly lli?, 1593i@ Application'fxlef'i ctober 29, 190B. Serial No. 460,032.

To all whom-tt may concern:

it known that l, Fnnnnnoii il. GrinzasoN, of Vialpole, in the county ot Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful improvements in li'lethoils ot' Making Hollow Rubber rtr. cles, of which the followingis n specification.

This invention s relation to the manur facture ot bollos7 ,eainless vulcanized' rubber artielegin which the article is vulcanized about an initially rigid mandrel or core of material or substance which becomes molten at. a temperature below that destructive to vulcanizable rubber. l

.The object ot the present invention is, lirst, to prevent any initial adherence of the material forming the mandrel to the interior wall of the vulcanized article; secondn'to provide ior the employment. of a minimum amount of imiterial in the construction oit the mandrel; third to provide 'for main, taining a pressure against the interior Wells oi' the article when the .mandrel becomes soft or molten under the ii'itluence of heat during the process o'l vulcaitination; sind, fourth, to adopt the `process particularly for the manufacture ot such articles as hot water bottles, fountain syringes, etc.

ln carrying out the invention, the mandrel is, according' tomy previous Patent No. 910,370, dated January l), i909, mede of any suitable material which will nieltet a below that destructive to rubber, such, tor instance, on alloy of lead, tin and bismuth. 'This mandrel or core constructed in skeleton form, beingeither n shell `which hollow, or a` "frame which engages only a portion of the interior ot the article which is to be .fulcanizetl. ln the manufacture of bicycle tires, for instance, l may utilize a mandrel or core which is tubular and which is iornied in tivo complene'iial halves There an inner tube is t0 be manufactured, the skeleton mandrel consists of a short tube section or cylinder wliicli is introduced inside oi'.E only the -sipped ends oi the tube. ln the manufaclure ot lint-water bags and similar articles, the insndrei takes the 'lorxn of a skeleton traine.

ln order to sustain the pressure against 'the internal surface of the article in the process of ifnlcaniroition. when the mandrel grows sott, l provide tor compressing nir 'Within the article after it has been formed.

labout the mandrel end placed Within the molds, and in addition thereto, I also, in some eases, place inside of the'article, prior to its subjection to the vulcanizing heat, a smell quantity of a suitable liquid, such as Water or ammonia which will veporize and form an expensible gss,all as will be ero.l plained in detail hereinafter.

ln the manufacture of Water bottles and lsuch similar receptacles, it becomes noces-- sary to employ e core Which is in port composed of fusible material. in connection with a nonfl" and form the several constituent parts 'going to make up the receptacle. For exemple, in makin(y a Water bottle or-snch like receptacle, a illisible core may be employed to form the main portion oft the receptacle and a.

non-fusible core to form the neck of the receptacle. In utilizing' a core so constructed, the process ot' mslr'ng tbe article is -ecilirated and rendered more etl'ective by pio viding means for relieving the pressure before the article is removed from the molds.

On the accompanying dreWingsV-liigure l represents a portion of n, tire it is ini-. titilly formed about the mandrel, the saine being placed in e molclwhicli is shown in' cross-section. Fig. 2 represents the mold closed ready to be placed in the vulcanizing oven@4 Fig. 3 shows the completed tire in cross-section. Fig. l illustra-tes the removal of the molten mandrel. Fig. represents in perspective Viewv portion of the mandrel. a part being cutaway to show' its shape in cross-section. Fig. 6 is s transverse section through an assembled core, and rubber pon tions, and the sections of a pressure mold employe( in forming a rubber hot-water beg. Fig. 7 is a view ot' the several parts of a core assembled together in connection with the rubber parts ot' a receptacle in longitudrk nal section placed on one ot' the sections of s. pressure mold, the core ,and parts being such as are used in forming a liotwater bag in accordance with this invention. F ig. S shows in section a spun metal nipple which is permanently left in the receptacle after it is formed to receive the stopper. Fig. 9

i shows in section, a non-fusible neck core and outlet Yused in conjunction with the illisible core. Fig. 1.() shows in section an outlet pipe havingl a packing flange, used in connection with the valved, outlet pipe. Figs. ll to usible material, inorder to build up l5 show the blanks of Vulcanizable rubber which may used in matting a hotfwater bottle. Fig. 17 is a side elevation' of coniplete hot-Water bottle formed in accord nce with the invention.

tions indicated at 1G10. When plaed with theiredges together, they forni ring which is tubular or circular in cross-section'. They are formed of any suitable material which YWill melt ata temperature below that vdestructive to rubber, such,for instance, as an alloy of lead, tin and bismuth',l these metals beiner rovided in ronortions as will ermit e i P the melting of .the/mandrel at a temperature as may be desired from 199 llpto 250g/F. or

leven higheri- Abo/ut this mandrel is formed the article to begnade'. in the manufacture 'Qta vehicle tire, l1; rst take a strip of vul- 1 canizahle rubber and coat one face thereof *n th z lubricant AWhich will prevent the adhe nee o3?. the sluiten mandrel thereto. Any suitable lubricant/may be used, such for instance, as tale/ starch vor other. substance which Will notv injure or eause'the deterioration of the rubber or the `mandrel. This strip, is Wound upon the mandrel as indicated at ll. Then upon the tread portion or partially encircling this layer ll is placed Aa layer l2 of crude oruncured rubber which has no vulcanizing material mixed therel with, so that, during the vulcanizing proeess, it will remain uncured. This layer is preferably crescent shaped in cross-section, and incloses what l may term the sides and outer portion of the/thus partially formed tire. A third layer, which is indicated at 1.3, of vulcanizable rubber iswrapped about the layers lO and ll. Then, for the purpose or' providing an attaching portion to the tire, a layer 14 of Vulcanizable rubber and a fiat (in cross-section) strip or layer l5 of a hard .rubber composition is placed on the inside of the tire. This strip l5 is preferably a partially cured mixture of rubber, sulfur, and tinely divided mica or equivalent- ,materialy About the layers thus described are placed any suitable number of layers or Wrappings of vulcanizable rubber and frictioned fabric, such canvas, as indicated at 16, arranged in alternation. In Fig. l, for

the purpose of showing these Various Wrappings, they are illustrated as not being` in close contact, but it will be understood' that they Will all be so wrapped and laid about the tire as to exclude air between them. Then about the outer or tread portion of the essere tire tous tar completed, placed a layerl (crescent shape icross-section) of vulcfin# izab e rubber, indicated at l?, so as to' forni the wearing surface of the tire. The tire, thus initially formed, is placed between I two molds 18 18 which are forced by power together so to compress the tire tightly around .the mandrel, the two molds being then clamped er loclefl together so as to exert a constant pressure upon the tire- The mold is then placed in a heating oven or in a Vulcania-ing press Where git is subjected to 'a vulcanizing teniperature of say 25Go to As the heat is conducted gradinill'g/` through the molds and into the c, tire tou/ard the mandrel, the Vulcanizat-ion apparently proceeds successivelyinwardly from the outer surface of the tire", the only fortiori remaining unfulcanized being,` the layer l2, the surfaces of which, however, become vulcanized to the adjacent layers lll and 13;

ln order that the article may be inter--7 nall'y supported and the mandrel may be@ able/ to withstand the pressure' as it growsgo soft, due to the heat, until the vulcanication is suliiciently completed as be unaffected by the collapse of themandrel, l may-place in the interior of the mandrel or article a small amount of anyi'suitable liquid e. which will vaporize or forni. an epansible gas under heat. ln such case, for instance, a small amerut-oliquid ammonia or Water, as for exam; e, about seven ounces.' The liquid serves to assist infra/venting any los adherence of the mandrel-tot ierinterior'sur tace of the article, and to Vcause itseasy removal after the vulcanizationis 'eonipleted.V ln some cases, inasmuch as the tire is Subjected to great. pressure ina vulcaniaing press, the mandrel is filled 'with con-:pressed air after it is placed in the niolds and "conivv pressed, and air serves to support'the mandrel and the tire -againstqsaid pressure. The compressed air, in conjunction with said gas or steam, in case the liquid'be used; prov vides an increased pressure :which conn, presses the rubber toward vthe molds. Thus, after the tire is .placed Vin 'the.n1old,' air isV pumped in to a pressure of about seventy pounds per square inch. "lfhe tire' being subjected to great pressure ,in a Vulcanizing press, the pressis heated` with steam, at

llO

`forty'ton sixty-ive pounds' pressure. The

rubber begins culling on theoutside and heat radiates inward ,fusing thev metal mandrel. 1When the mandrel'becomes heated, before it has time to soften`,the liquid therein, if ammonia, is yconverted into a gas, or if Water, y intok steam Which expands'suiliciently to exert additional pressure against the mandrel and hold it in conjunction with'the com pressed air against the interior surface of the tire when the outer surface of the niandrel softens. When the,heat is suiliciently sessie intense, however, 'the mandrel becomes molten, and foi-ins e pool in a portion of the interior oi' the tire.. '".'he expanding gas or steam in such case with the compressed air replaces the. mandrel or core, it were, und still further compresses the rubber'tmvard the voutside and exerts a suilicient pressure in conjunction with the compressed air uqainst the inner Walls on the tire to permit tinul vuloanizntion of theoinner portions oi the tire should such vulcanization not be con1- pleted before the mandrel becomes molten. From the foregoing, it will bc seen that, tor securing the internal pressure, l muy utilize in conjunction with the `fusible mandrel either the compressed oir elone, oi; else the substance which will gssifmv, or both the coni pressed air und the substance.

ln the initial constructi ii oi: the tire, it. will be understood that it n'ovided with u valve ordinarily indicated ut lf) in lfig. il, und diometrinellyl opposite said valve 'Closed by 3, removable plug.

the tire is also provided with a sleeve or bushing," 2O of brass or the'xlilte which 'When 'the tire is removed troni the mold, lube ris introduced through the sleeve 20, und, although the pressure of thegus or steznn in the tire will be sutl'icient to force out more or lessot` the molten material, which previ ouslv 'formed the inn; dre-l, 'yet e. pipe is preferably connected tothe 'alve to 'force out the molten ineteriul by nii or steam pressure. Should by tiny chance any et the metal adhere the inner surface of the tire, .it muy be ie moved by n, jet ol hot Wuter or steam, although such adherence is seldom on account ot' the use of the .lubricant and the liquid, us

, previously described.

While the process bus been set forth as carried, out in the manufacture or tires in which the tire is subjected to ,great pressure in o vulcanizing press, it may be, employed in the manufacture of other articles Where a vulcanizingl press is not used, and Where any suitable forni of hollow or skeleton core or shell is employed, the compressed air serving to sustain the necessary pressure within the rubber article it is vulcanized in a mold.

Referring to Figs. 6 und 7, the present process may be employed in making seninu loss receptacles such as liet-waiter bugs and the like. ln suoli event, the core or mandrel is composed ot three distinct parts, but iosteud of the nmin portieri oi the core being ot solid fusible historial, it muy be in the slnipe of u, freine or skeleton support for the receptacle, sind freine or skeleton support being et fusible material. Any suitable torni of frame or skeleton support serving as the. main portion of the core or mandrel may be employed. As shown in i5 and 7, the 'main portion or the core or mandrel preferably consists of o. freine or .skeleton support 2l, either solid or hollow as desired, and of s. shape adapting it to support the rubber portions and 37, 'forming the bodyY of' the receptacle, leaving a, hollow Space 24 between the sides ot'v the receptacle and between the inner edges off 'the core. The main portion 2l of the eoreiis provided with n socket to receive a tube 27 foi-ined on the neck portion 2G of the core., The ring 25,A although it initially forms e. portion of the core or mandrel, is preferably inadewolE soiue suitable material such as brass, that will permanently adhere to the 'rubber duringr the process of vulcanizution, setlistthis ring subsequently forms e permanent rigid threaded portion of. the bottle into which a stopper muy be screwed.' The neelr portion 2G of the core or mandrel consists ol" ordinary iron or steel or other materiel 'which will not. become usible at' e, rulcanizing temperature, und it constitutes that portion ol the nmndrcl which internally shapes the neeli or mouth ot' the bottle. "llius the mandrel, before the srticle is v ng eenized, consists oit u fusible portion 2l, ii

n 215, both of which nre nonlusible portio removed ifi-oni tY o und a nontusible portion 25 which permanently adheres to the bag and becomes e par?, thereof. The usiblefportion ma).7 be culled the fusible stele ton core, und the portions Quand 25 a. supplemental core. fln the. end ot' the outlet pipe may be tnreeded un outlet extrusion 29 he u. relvell) so that oir muy be pumped into and compressed within the zirticle about the core. The noch portion 2G is provided With n passageway 3l extending lonLiitudiuiall57 through. its center, end formed. at its upper end with en en iarged screw-threaded portion adapted to receive '.the lower threaded end of the outlet pipe 28. ln the neck portion 26 is a small duct 32 by' which air is conducted to the hollow portion of the necl.-

Aln manufacturing the hot-Water bottle in connection with the core or mandrel justdescribcd, the vulcanizable rubber in the forni ot suitable. blanks or strips is internelly coated 'nv ith'the lubricant and nsseinbled about the mandrel, so as to forni-the body portion, neck und mouth of the bog, after which the parts are ull placed between the molds, as shown in Fig; 6. The molds are forced together under sutlicient pressure fr as to tightly compress the rubber about the mandrel. lt desired, :i small quantity olE xvutor or ammonia is introduced into the bag. Air is forced into the bug through the pipe 2S, the neck 2li und the dependingr portion 27 until the desired internal pressure is secured. In actual practice I have employed either compressed air, or Water, or both. The mold is plotted in a vulcanizing oven, where it is subjccted'to a vulconizing temperature of soy 250o to 285o F; until vulcanization takes place. itrer'the vulcanization is completed, the p t'essurein the article may be relieved beforetlie article is removed from the molds by opening the valve 30.

ln making up al hot-Water bottle asdescribed, two main strips 22 of vulcanizable rubber (see Figfll), coated on their inner faces with. talc, are 'fitted over the fusible skeleton core, and' the sections 33, 3l., and (shown in Figs. l2, let and ll are assembled. 'about the open ring. and the non fusibleneclr portion.` of the core pieces of rubbel 36 (shown in l5) assembled the lbwerend of; the bottle, and a lungh' tudinal strip of rubber 37 is folded about themeeting edges or main" strip as shown. 'The variousparts are overlapped as may be necessary, andthe parts are placed in the molds for 'vuloanization. It is evident that the shapes of the rubber strips or pieces and the number thereof will change With the shape of the hollow article to be produced. u

' Having thus explained the. nature of, my said invention and described a Way of constructing and using tbeI same, although without attempting to set forth all or' the forms 'in which it may be made or all oi the modes' of its use, what l claim is l. rlhe herein described process ot malting hollen-Y rubberl articles, which consists in forming the article of vulcanizable rubber about an initially rigid core or mandrel of material fusible at a temperature below that destructive to rubber, introducing into said article a substance capable of gasifyingunder heat, placing said 'article and corel between molds, subjecting the molds topres sure, gasiiying the said substance and-vulcanizing the said article by heat, and removing the mandrel in fluid form. v

i?. ln the manufacture of hollow, seam# less, rubber ar ilo-les, tbe following steps, to Wit: forming; article or" vulcanizable rubber about a hollow core or mandrel of material fusible at a temperature below that dest uctive te rubber, generating a pressure within said article, vulcanizinr the.

in tluid form. y v

Il. in the manufacture of' hollow, seamless, rubber articles, the .following steps, to wit: forming the article of vulcanizable rubber about a'core or mandrel of material fusible at a temperature below that destruct removing tbe core or mandrelin fluid torni by the generated pressure.

et. lu tl .i-nanufacture of hollow, seamless,

rubber articles, the following steps, to Wit:

tcle, and removingthe core or mandrel.,

'e to rubber, generating a pressure Within, seul mandrel, vulcanizing the article, andV tive to rubber, introducing into said article a substance capable ci gas tying under beat, vulcanizing saidarticle and converting said substance into gas, and withdrawing the mandrel in iluid form,

In the manufacture of hollow, seamless, rubber articles, the following steps, to Wit: providing a two-part rigid mandrel 01"' which one part is made or a fusible material, shaping the article of vulcanizable rubber about said mandrel, vulcanizing said article, fusing the fusible part of Seidmandrol inthe process of vulcanizatiou, and withdrawing said mandrel in fluid forni.

6. The herein described process of manufacturing seamless, hollow, rubber articles, consistingl of forming the article of vulcan* nizable rubber about a core of* fusible mate* 'trieb introducing into said article a substance 'which on the application of heat forms an Expanding gas, vulcanizing said article, and sustaining the inner wall of said article during the vulcanization, first by said core and then bv the expanding gas, and'witlidrawing said core in lfluid form.

i. ln the vulcanization ot hollowv rubber articles, the following step, to Wit: during the vulcanization of the article, sustaining tbe inner Wall of said article, first by a fusible core, audl then when said core bc.- comes molten by gas.

' 8.` The herein described process of melting 'hollow rubber articles, consisting in forming the article ot' vulcanizable rubber about a core, a. portion oil Wbicli is initially riffid,

and of a material fusible at a temperalure belenT that destructive to rubber, and a supplemental cere formed of' non-fusible material, vulcanizingtlie article, removing the non-fusible coreancl removing the fusible core' in -iluid form, ,Y

9. The herein described process of making hollomseamle'ss, rubber articleaivhich consists in forming the article of vulcanizable rubber about ay sectional core, a portion oi which is initially rigid and of a material fusible at a temperature belet-'J that destructive to rubber, another portion of which consists of a material that will' vulcanize to rubber, and another portion oit-which consists ol' non-fusible material, vuleanizing the article, removing the non-fusible core, and removing the fusible core in iluid form.

lO. lut-he manufacture of' hollow, seamless, rubber artiolespthe following steps, to wit: forming the article of vulcanizable,

rubber about a sectional `core hav-ing a main" portion consisting'of an initiallyfrigid" core'` ot material fusible at a temperature below that destructive to rubber, a threaded ringl of material which will vulcanizelo'rubber, and a core of a non-fusible material, subjecting saidV mandrel to pressure, vulcanizing the article, removing the nonusible. core,` and removing the fusible core in iluid form.

` tie seriale ll., tlie=-iii-anul`actiii-e of bellow, seeinless, rubber ertieles, tbe following steps, to will: forming 'tbe article oi' vulcanizable rubber about e bellow sectional core or man-- flrel, one pare of wliicli is fusible at a tem pcratiire 'below `that destructive to rubber. AVL-""ifli'li l '"r*" crc pariv 0 w ic vu caiiiiies to rubber, and

one part of which is non-fusible, subjecting' tbe article to pressure and vulcaniziiig it, removing tbe noii-fusible core, retaining tbe vulcanizing cere, and removing tbe fusible core in iluiil form. ,i

lf2, The herein iiescrbetl process of malring liollow rubber articles, which consists in forming the article of vulcanizable rubber about an initially skeleton core or iiiaiiilrel of material fusi ble ail a temperature below tliet ilestructive to rsibl'ier, filling said article with compressed air, vulcanizing tlic article, and removing tire iiiaiiclrel in luiri forni.

i3. 'llie herein ciescribetl process of inali- .ing' bellow rubber articles "which consists in lforiiiing the article of '-Julcenizable rubber,

baring .its inner face provided with a ljiibricant, about an initially rigid core or manl drei efniaterial fusible et a temperature below that destructive lo rubber, filling said article with compressed air, vulcanizing the article and removing tbe mandrel in fluid forni. y

lil, ln tbe manufacture of hollow, seamrubber articles, the following steps, to

Wit: forming tbe article of vulcanizalfile ruby ber about a hollow core or mandrel oit niaerial fusible at a temperature below that destructive to rubber, filling the article willi compressed air, generating an additional in article from another source, Vulcanizing the article, and removing tbe core or mandrel in fluid form by the generated pressure.

1G. ln the manufacture of hollow, seamless, ruioer articles, the ,following steps, to

' Wit: forming the article of vulcanizablc rubber about a. rigid hollow core or mandrel of material fusible at a temperature below that destructive to rubber, introducing a liquid into saitl article, introducing coinpressecl air into said article, i'iilcanizing said article, and withdrawing tl'ie nianrlrel in luiol forni.

l?. in tlie manufacture of hollow, scarnless, rubber articles, Lbe following steps, to ii/it: orovialing rigid mandrel, shaping tbe article of Vulcanizable rubber about said iiiaruirel, i'iiling said article formed on said iiiainirel with compressed air, vulcaiiiziiig said article, fusing said mandrel, and Withdrawing said mandrel in liiiifl form.

i8. The herein described process or' manufacturing seamless, hollow, rubber articles, consisting of :ifo ming tbe article of Vulcan izablc rubber about :i skeleton core of 'usible material introducing inte said article a substance Wliicli on the application of heetl 'forms an expanding ges, .filling said article with compressed air, vulcanizing said arti cle, and sustfiiiiii'ig the inner Wall of said article during the Vulcanization, lirst by said core and said air pressure and increasing said pressure by tlie expanding gas, and withdrawing said core in fluid forni.

19. In the Viilcaiiizalion of hollow rubber articles, the following step, to Wit: during the vulcanization of tlie article, sustaining pressure within said article from another l source, vulcanizing ilie article, and remov- 5 v l ing tbc internal pressure by an expanding ing the core or inanclrel in fluid form.

l5. in tlie manufacture of hollow, seain l rubber articles, the tolle-wing steps, to

to rubber, lliiig the article with compressed i air, generating an additional pressure Witbi the inner wall of said article by a fusible coi-e and coii'ipressed air, and tlieii increasffas. b ln testiirioiiy whereof l have aliixcil my signature, in presence ot' two witnesses.

flilEDERlCK J. GLEASON.' `illitnesses Anie. T. BALDWI- Evniin'r'r W. FUnBUsH. 

